Studies Suggest Going to Gigs May Help Improve Your Life Expectancy

We hear you–another day, another whack-sounding study that claims you can live longer. While it may seem like there’s a new one of these every five minutes, this one sounds like it could hold a little water (mostly because it’s something we all like to do anyway).

In a study conducted by UK telco giant O2, in partnership with Goldsmith University’s Associate Lecturer Patrick Fagan, research showed a correlation between overall wellbeing and regular attendance at live gigs. Previous studies have proved that wellbeing and longer lives are directly linked, based on psychometric testing and heart-rate analysis across a broad ramge of activities that are linked to wellness.

According to the report, feelings of wellbeing are increased by 21% (yes, that’s an absurdly specific number for something that is ostensibly not easily quantified), after just 20 minutes at a concert. Concertgoers allege to experience a 25% increase in both feelings of self-worth, and closeness to others, as well as a 75% increase in mental stimulation.

Subjects were also adamant that they much preferred listening to live music at a gig, as opposed to staying home and listening to the album, which suggests that the shared, social aspect of seeing a show with your mates is the key to the wellbeing element.

To achieve maximum results, researchers advise hitting up one of your favourite live shows at least once a fortnight, which is apparently the right amount to get the most out of the potential NINE years (seems legit) extra you could live, as a happy little raver.